Nathan Lambert  |  K-12 Sport Co-ordinator

OUR FIGHTING SPIRIT

Our school is made up of many sporting moments. We thrive on the taste of victory and love the thrill of a competitive game. Many times we have fought hard to the very end to just go down on the scoreboard; many times we have looked like we were out of the game, only to fight back and cause an upset in the dying seconds; many times we have done the impossible and clinched victory with amazing skill and determination.

Being a coach for a sporting team and watching them perform to the best of their ability, is fantastic to watch. All our teams at GPCC give 100%, working together as one, representing their school proudly, and always trying to clinch a win, even if the odds are against them. We never give up and keep fighting to the end.

We are all missing playing sport at the moment, wanting to get out there and test our skills against our mates. Even though we are unable to compete in competitions at present and looking forward to the time when we can resume, it is great to reflect on some of those moments that have defined our impressive sporting reputation, of students who have dedicated themselves to hard training and perseverance in any circumstance.

We have so many moments that reflect our fighting spirit. In recent years, you could look at our success at State Cross Country, Metro Cup victories and our dominating performances in Basketball gala days. There was the mammoth effort by our Year 6 Football team who in 2008, had one of the most dominating performances by any sport team, winning five Rugby League/Union tournaments.

In 2016 our Primary Boys Soccer team had been playing exceptionally well and had qualified for the State Futsal Championships and produced one of our greatest nerve-wracking moments and upsets in Primary School sport history.

This team was comprised of a number of current students that you may have heard of before Nicholas K, Arden C, Jacob B, Ben E and Ben S.

Their first game was against Wyong Christian School. Our boys, with their elite skills and talent, provided numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game. With over 60% possession, 184 first touches and 21 shots on goal, they took an early lead and held on to win comfortably 3-0.

In their second match, they played a strong second team from Bel Air. Again, with a high percentage of possession and accurate shots on goal, our boys fought to the end, winning 2-0.

Elmore Vale was their third opponent and they were exceptionally strong. They went to an early lead and even though GPCC had more possession and nearly four times as many shots on goal as Elmore, they just could not get it into the net, going down 3-1. This was a hurdle that our boys needed to overcome; to make it to the Final, they needed to bounce back.

After two wins out of three matches, GPCC had made the Semi Final and were now playing one of the hardest teams in the competition, Bel Air Firsts. 

From the starting whistle, the boys went on the attack, pouncing on the ball and scoring quickly. They back this strong start with another quick goal, now taking a 2-0 lead. Not wanting to give Bel Air the chance to score, we changed our formation and with this in mind, protected our lead until the end of the match, even sneaking in another goal before the final siren. We eventually won 3-0 which now placed us in a strong position, heading into the Final. To show the dominance of our team in this match, our boys had 21 shots on goal to Bel Air’s one shot.

The Final was of course against the team that convincingly beat GPCC 3-1. This was going to be one tough match and one that our boys would need to rise and prepare for a hard battle.

With the scores level, we went on the attack and through Peter R, scored an amazing goal to take the lead 2-1.

After half time, the teams continued to battle it out, with shot after shot. Nick Kratochvil pulled off some of the best saves ever to keep GPCC just in front.

With only a minute left, Elmore Vale unfortunately came up with the equaliser and the scores were 2-2 until the final siren.

This could mean only one thing  - a Golden Goal. Both teams had shots that were superbly saved by their keepers. By the whistle, scores were still level, meaning that the State Championships would be decided by Penalty Shoot Out.  It came down to one person in the end who could give GPCC the win if he scored – it was Nick.

Without breaking a sweat, Nick walked up to the ball and kicked it firmly. We held our breaths with eyes closed, just hoping that it went in. The ball floated through the air and to the delight of our team went IN!! 

GPCC had won the State Futsal Championships and cemented themselves as one of the strongest Futsal teams around.

Not only was this one of the greatest (and nerve wracking) moments of my coaching career, but it was one that really demonstrated our ability to fight to the end, to strive for excellence, to persevere no matter what is thrown at us, and to always rely on each other to get through the tough times.

When things start to return to normal and we are able to compete in competitions again, let's continue to produce some of these great moments in our school sporting history, moments that whether we win or lose, we will be remembered for how well we played the game.